Two of FC Barcelona’s most important players, Neymar and Leo Messi, could be banned from entering Britain.
That’s the claim of UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, which has been expressed in a new interview with the New York Times.
In the most far fetched scenario considering Barcelona lost the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match with PSG 4-0, should the Catalans reach the UCL final this season, which is to be staged in Cardiff, the stars could be banned from entering the country.
It’s all about Brexit
The whole issue is centred around Brexit.
Once Britain exits the European Union, people who have existing legal issues could be banned from coming into the country.
That’s what happened to PSG’s Serge Aurier last season when the Ligue 1 side took on Arsenal in the Champions League.
On the Barcelona stars, Aleksander Ceferin made the following comments:
Neymar and Lionel Messi both have procedures going on. This year, the Champions League final is in Cardiff. Imagine if they did not let them in. That is a big thing for us, if players from England can travel anywhere but players from other teams cannot travel to England. With free movement in Europe, it is much better.
Even in 2020, if ‘Brexit’ has happened, then it can be a big problem for fans. That stays firm, and we will speak to the British government, and I am sure the English Football Association will help us.
